What Is a Problem of Cultural Sanctions against Russia?

After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, there has been a widespread movement to exclude Russia from the arts and sports fields.

Recently, the Russian athletes were excluded from the Beijing Paralympics, the Munich Philharmonic fired Russian Chief Conductor Valery Gergiev, and the Rotterdam Philharmonic announced that it was terminating all ties with him.

In the case of the Beijing Paralympic Games, the International Paralympic Committee once approved the participation of the event, but the decision was overturned due to opposition from athletes and athletic organizations from each country.

In addition, Mr. Gergiev is known for his close relationship with President Vladimir Putin. As a result, after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Mr. Dieter Reiter, the Mayor of Munich, was asked to issue a statement distancing himself from politics, but his refusal resulted in dismissal: in the case of the Rotterdam Philharmonic, their relationship was dissolved by "an unbridgeable gap" between them[1].

All of these are measures that originated from Russia's military operations of Ukraine.

Indeed, Russia's actions do not only violate international law, but are also unacceptable from a humanitarian perspective.

Therefore, it is a reasonable response from the compliance with international law and from the humanitarian aspect for each country to unite against Russia. Political, economic, and cultural sanctions are also symbolic acts of cooperation among nations.

However, economic sanctions, for example, often have medium- and long-term effects but lack immediate effectiveness in many cases. The focus of the issue is whether or not to impose the sanctions themselves rather than whether they are effective. At this time, sanctions are note an end, but a method.

Then, what about cultural sanctions?

Of course, refusing to allow a performance by those who are close to the head of the government leading the invasion of Ukraine, or by organisations that may have contributed to Russia's foreign currency acquisition might indirectly hurt the Russian government.

Exclusion from the sports world, which can easily be used as a means of raising national prestige, could also discourage the authorities' propaganda strategies.

On the other hand, if cultural sanctions are intended to force Russian authorities to reflect on their actions and promptly agree to a ceasefire, the effect is not necessarily high.

Just as economic and political sanctions may inadvertently give the Russians the propaganda that the only way to overcome adversity is through final victory, cultural sanctions may have the same effect.

Because cultural sanctions will give the Russian side the material to advertise that "the only way to overcome adversity is the ultimate victory", as if it were economic or political sanctions.

In fact, cultural sanctions may even destroy opportunities for dialogue among artists and competitors that might otherwise be politically difficult.

In fact, cultural sanctions can even eliminate opportunities for dialogue that may be difficult politically but could be established among artists or athletes.

As of now, the Royal Opera House in the UK has cancelled its invitation to the Bolshoi Ballet Theatre this summer[2], and the Eurovision Song Contest, conducted by broadcasters affiliated with the European Broadcasting Union, has indicated that it will not allow participation from Russia[3].

Such actions are, in a sense, a type of cultural sanction.

As with other sanctions, cultural sanctions require stakeholders to be aware of whether they are done as a means or as an ultimate goal. The accelerating division in areas such as sports and the arts is very disturbing.

[1]2 orchestras fire Russian conductor for supporting Putin. AP, 2nd March 2022, https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-entertainment-business-munich-1a804383b8ae54df96a3f1d3ba1cb378 (accessed on 9th March 2022).

[2]Royal Opera House cancels tour from Moscow-based Bolshoi Ballet in wake of Ukraine invasion after Russia was also stripped of the Champions League final and F1. The Daily Mail, 25th February 2022, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10553779/Royal-Opera-House-cancels-tour-Moscow-based-Bolshoi-Ballet-wake-Ukraine-invasion.html (accessed on 9th March 2022).

[3]Russia banned from Eurovision 2022 as organisers say it would bring contest 'into disrepute'. euronews.. 25th February 2022, https://www.euronews.com/culture/2022/02/25/russia-banned-from-eurovision-2022-say-ebu (accessed on 9th March 2022).

〈要旨〉

「ロシアへの文化的制裁」はいかなる意味を持つか

ロシアがウクライナへの侵攻を開始して以来、スポーツや芸術の分野でロシアの競技者や演奏家、団体などを排除する事例が増えています。こうした措置は「文化的制裁」の一種といえるもので、このような対応がいかなる意味を持つかを検討した。